Journalist and musician Barbara Caserta of Italy’s Linearock conducted a 30-minute video interview with drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB) prior to THE WINERY DOGS‘ concert at Live Club in Trezzo sull’Adda, Milan, Italy. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked what led to his departure from ADRENALINE MOB, the band featuring Russell Allen (vocals; also of SYMPHONY X) and Mike Orlando (guitar), Portnoy said: “I’m very proud of the album I made with ADRENALINE MOB and I think that there was really a great chemistry there; it was a great band. I was definitely behind it. I spent two years of my life developing it and trying my best. But at the end of the day, I came out of DREAM THEATER wanting to do a lot of different things, and I wasn’t ready to commit exclusively to any one band. I had just spent 25 years with one band — and side projects, obviously, but committed to one band. And I said right from the beginning I was gonna plant many different musical seeds and see which grew, and that would kind of dictate where I would go and what I would do. And I spent a good solid two years giving my all to ADRENALINE MOB. But it only blossomed a little; I kept waiting for it to truly blossom and waiting for touring opportunities to come around, which never happened, and waiting for certain things to happen that never happened, so when it came time for them to start to want to do a new record, it’s, like, well, I have five months of THE WINERY DOGS dates on the calendar, so I had to make a decision; I couldn’t be in two places at the same time. Luckily, up until now, I’ve been able to juggle all these different things and make the schedules work out, but finally it came to a head where it’s, like, ‘OK, do I do a record with ADRENALINE MOB or do I tour with THE WINERY DOGS?’ And it’s, like, well, ADRENALINE MOB is not really growing fast enough. I don’t have time to get into a van and play to a hundred people a night for the next ten years to develop this when I have other opportunities and things like THE WINERY DOGS and other things that are offering opportunities and situations that I need to follow through with. So I haf to make a decision, and one shoe had to drop, and unfortunately, it happened to be ADRENALINE MOB.”

He continued: “[They’re a] great band, and I would have loved to have done more if they could have worked around my schedule, but I understand that they wanna keep working. So I had to make a decision and THE WINERY DOGS has a lot of buzz and opportunity and possibility and potential, so I didn’t want to not give it a fair chance.”

In a recent interview with Brazil’s “Wikimetal”, Allen stated about Portnoy‘s departure from ADRENALINE MOB: “He’s been, obviously, real busy with THE WINERY DOGS, which is his next band that he’s doing. The truth of it is we wanna keep working, we wanna keep doing ADRENALINE MOB and we don’t wanna wait around for Mike to have the time [to put into ADRENALINE MOB]. And he doesn’t know when he will have the time again, so that’s really what’s going down. Mike Portnoy was asked to be in the band by myself. Me and Orlando had already written all the material, so [ADRENALINE MOB‘s debut album] ‘Omertá’ was completely finished before Mike joined the act. And it’s a bummer, but he’s got his sights on other things, and he’s not gonna stick around. So we wish him the best of luck, but the MOB‘s gotta go on.”

ADRENALINE MOB‘s most recent touring and recording lineup also included DISTURBED bassist John Moyer

ADRENALINE MOB released “Covertá”, an eight-track EP featuring cover versions of some of the group’s favorite songs, on March 12.

“As sad as it is, IMEX and Sam Walker are parting ways. We would just like to say a MASSIVE thank you to Sam for all the hard work, hard drinking and hard bantering he has put in over the last 4 years, he will be greatly missed as part of this band and this decision in no way affects our friendship with Sam, who is, and always will be a brother. Sam, best of luck in the future buddy and we will catch up with you soon.”

Sam also commented: “Hey guys, this may be a shock to you all but I have decided to part ways with Impaled. It has come to the time in my life where I feel that I need to move on and try new things.

“I’ve spent the best 4 years of my life with these guys, traveled the whole of the UK, played Download and also Bloodstock. I’ve learnt so much from them. I would like thank EVERYONE who has helped me and the band along over this time, the support from you guys has been unreal.

Canada’s Dead and Divine has issued the following announcement about deciding to call it quits and playing a final hometown show:

“After nearly 10 years of playing music together, touring the world and making some of the best friends we could have ever asked for, we’re very regretfully closing this chapter of our lives. It chokes me up to be writing this letter, and I really can’t express how genuine and sincere I am when I say thank you all for everything you’ve done to help us live our dream.

“Matty started Dead and Divine in highschool when he was 16 years old. It was never anything more than an excuse to play some music with his pals, and I’m sure I can speak for him when I say nobody ever expected this to turn into what it is. Almost 10 years later and we’ve toured nearly 20 countries with some of our favorite bands, released two EP’s and three full length records that have all (to our amazement) landed themselves on Billboard and iTunes charts. We’ve created music with producers who have made records that we grew up listening to; guys that truly shaped us musically both as individuals and as a band.

“We’re so blessed to say we have incredible friends around the world, from coast to coast in Canada and the United States, the UK, Ireland, and all over Europe, Japan, Australia and South America. You’ve helped us leave the Burlington Music Center and play to hundreds of thousands of people at festivals and venues around the globe. Trust me when I say we NEVER thought we’d be doing this. I remember leaving for our first tour with our friends in The Holly Springs Disaster and Straight Reads The Line, and not once did it cross my mind that I’d be repeating that process continually for the next seven years of my life. It just wasn’t a realistic expectation. We weren’t one of THOSE bands and I wasn’t one of THOSE dudes. We didn’t get lucky like that. Touring in a rock band was a pipe dream and we all knew that first tour was nothing more than a dry hump. We’d go home, go back to school/work, and continue playing random shows on weekends. We couldn’t be more thankful for all of this.

“This band has defined our adult lives, and it’s a product of your dedication and commitment to supporting us as musicians. Like I keep saying, Dead and Divine has turned into something much larger than we ever anticipated and we’re so happy that we got to share something we love so much with all of you. We do, however, need to step away from this for an indefinite amount of time and focus on other things. With all the touring comes a lot of sacrifice, and it slowly but surely takes it’s toll. We’ve been so lucky to have this opportunity and we’ve never once forgotten that, but the music industry has it’s way of very gently weaseling it’s hands down your throat when you’re sleeping and squeezing the life out of you in the kindest way possible. Smiling, of course.

“At the end of the day, we want to leave this on a good note and we can’t help but feel like this is the right time. But rest assured, when one door closes a new one always opens.

“Our final hometown show will take place on May 5th at the Burlington YMCA, and we couldn’t think of a better way to make it something memorable than to let you pick our setlist. For the first and last time ever, we’ll be playing songs from What Really Happened At Lovers Lane, The Fanciful, The Machines We Are and Antimacy.

“We love you all and thank you for your continued support. With every t-shirt and record, like and follow, you’ve paved the way for us to build this into something incredible.

As Warbringer begins a North American tour supporting Iced Earth and Symphony X this week, it has been revealed that longtime guitarist Adam Carroll has decided to leave the band and last weekend’s shows supporting Death Angel were his last.

“To all fans and friends, I, Adam Carroll, have officially quit WARBRINGER. I have financial issues at home that have to be addressed sooner than later. I hope you all can understand and respect my decision. It’s been some of the best years of my life and I appreciate all the support you the fans have given us and continue to give. I will forever be part of the WARBRINGER family. Many thanks and until I see the rest of you again, keep the metal alive. Cheers!”

The band enlisted friend Andrew Bennett for the purpose of filling in live for this tour with the hope that he may become a permanent member of the group as he continues his audition process where it matters most– on the stage and in the van.

Comments Andrew Bennett, “Last month I received a message from the guys, which basically stated that Adam was requesting to step out. As a result, they were searching for a possible replacement who could learn the material in time for the upcoming ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X tour. I jumped at the opportunity and started learning some tracks. Around the beginning of this month I went down and jammed with the guys and the rest is history. I am eternally grateful to my friends in WARBRINGER for giving me the opportunity to play with them and I am very excited about what the future may hold. But, one thing that I would like to make clear is that I don’t view myself as Adam’s replacement, as much as I view myself as filling the position instead of him. Adam’s work with the band and time with them is not something that can be erased and I would just like to make it clear that I respect him greatly. He has left big shoes to fill and I have a lot of work ahead of me if I am going to honor his legacy with the band. I’m looking forward to interacting with, and playing for the fans on the road! It’s time to shred!”

Bury Your Dead has officially parted way with vocalist Myke Terry, and replaced him with previous band vocalist Mat Bruso. The band is currently working on a new album due out via Mediaskare.

Additionally, Terry released a statement in regards to his departure and future solo plans. The press release states that his exit is the outcome of stalled contract negotiations between Bury Your Dead founder, Slim, and Mediaskare. Mediaskare reportedly refused to renegotiate with Terry, and hired Bruso to complete the record.

“After spending over three years with Bury Your Dead, becoming a family, and almost losing our lives together I would think that we would all have each other’s backs better than this,” Terry comments. “I never thought someone who hadn’t sweat, bled, or cried with us would have the power to dictate the inner workings of our band. I’d like to thank everyone that bought a Bury Your Dead CD, came to a show, or played with us for making the past few years of my life so amazing and I look forward to my future as a solo artist. I’m sure everyone who has ever chanted ‘bring Back Bruso’ is now stoked for his return.”